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The 10U, 12U & 14U teams of the Delaware Tribe organizations all had an amazing 2020 season with USSSA East Fastpitch! Combined, the three teams touted an impressive 66-31-4 USSSA record with 9 tournament championships along the way of the shortened season.

All three DE Tribes were crowned Delaware State Champions in their respective age groups at the USSSA DE State Tournament. These wins caught the eye of a local newspaper where they were featured for their dominant performances!

The 14U team then went on to win the 14O USSSA Eastern National Championships, while the 10U finished 2nd and the 12U finished 5th in their divisions.

A coach has many options for their lineup:

To the traditional nine player lineup, the coach can optionally add one or two Additional Players (APs) and/or a DP/FLEX. The DP bats; the FLEX is a defensive non-batter. So... The maximum number of players in the lineup is 12. (9 + 2 APs + FLEX). The maximum number of batters in the batting order is 11.

Recently USSSA added the option of Roster Batting where a team has all their players in the lineup. Everybody bats; No substitutes; No FLEX; as many APs as needed.

Whatever lineup is chosen, it must be declared before the game starts, and it cannot be changed.

For more details, see Rule 5, Section 1. Feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions at uic@mdumps.com.

We will address the lineup card in the next newsletter.

Background Check Reminder & Info

All team managers and coaches are now required by USSSA to submit and pass a criminal background check before being

eligible to participate in any USSSA events.

If you as a coach, have not already done so, please be sure to do so AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Do not wait until the week of the event as the check takes an average of 2-5 business days to be finalized, with some facing longer delays. If the head manager of a team has not been approved before the event, the team will not be eligible to participate. No exceptions!

All background checks must be completed through USSSA's website by the background check provider, JDP. No other organization's approval may be substituted. The background check is valid for one season.

Teams that did NOT participate in any USSSA events during the 2020 Fall Season (anytime after Sept. 1) should register as

soon as possible for the 2021 season!

Reminder... In order for a player to be eligible to participate in a USSSA event, the player guardian must approve the player to the team AND complete the return to play waiver. The player will not be listed on the team roster until the waiver is completed.

Join us for an early season spring beach weekend! The very first Coast Clash will be held in two separate, but nearby, wonderful beach locations... The beautiful beaches of Rehoboth Beach, DE and "America's smallest cool town" Berlin, MD! (Minutes away from resort town Ocean City) Don't miss it!

Delaware: 10O, 10B, 14O, 14B

USSSA East returns to one of our great partner venues, the Rehoboth Beach Little League, with a new event in 2021! Enjoy some time at the beach with fields just 2 miles away from the coast!

Maryland: 12O, 12B, 16O, 16B, 18O, 18B

Showell Park has recently upgraded all three fields with new fencing and backstops, as well as new permanent restrooms and concessions! A beautiful park just 7 miles away from Ocean City! USSSA East is excited to help show off this great facility!

Stephanie has been a part of USSSA East for the past 8 years as the Program Administrative Manager. Prior to joining USSSA full time, she had worked part time in field maintenance, as a merchandise seller and

site director.

Stephanie is a graduate of Northeast High School in Pasadena, MD. She earned her varsity letter in 3 sports – soccer, basketball and softball. While at Northeast, the softball program went on to win 4 straight state championships and had a 68 game winning streak. She was selected on numerous regional and county teams throughout her career. While playing basketball, she earned Player of the Year accolades from the Baltimore Sun and the Maryland Gazette her senior year as well as being inducted into the Northeast High School Hall of Fame in 2010. She went on to play basketball and softball at Shepherd University and has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure, with a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation. She worked at The Maryland School for the Blind for 15 years prior to taking the position at USSSA.

Stephanie is married and lives in Pasadena, MD with her husband Ralph and their son.

Andy is the Director of Program Operations for USSSA East. He oversees and directs day to day operations, including event planning, scheduling, program development and strategic partnerships.

Prior to joining the USSSA East team, he worked for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism and served in several roles including Manager of the Henry Parker Athletic Complex, Director of Sports Marketing, Superintendent of Recreation, Deputy Director and Director.

He also serves the sport nationally as the Chairman of USSSA’s National Fastpitch Committee. That committee works with the National Director of Fastpitch to steer the sport across the country in areas like rules, event growth and development, new program offerings, national classification standards and more.

Andy is married and lives in Salisbury, MD with his wife Courtney and their two children.

Each year, USSSA East hosts multiple benefit events to connect our softball program with the community in the interest of giving back! USSSA hosted two benefit events in the fall of 2020, contributing to three separate beneficiaries:

Aiello Breast Cancer Center

Women Supporting Women

JDRF Maryland Chapter

Have any suggestions of what you would like to see featured in the USSSA East newsletter?

Email chris@usssa1.com